Impatiens plant named ‘Danchesal’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘Danchesal’ characterized by having compact growth habit; small flowers; small, green leaves; and salmon color flowers.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Impatienswalleriana.

Variety denomination: Danchesal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Danchesal’.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breedingprogram in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is RRB-401(unpatented, proprietary variety). The male parent is BGA-800(unpatented, proprietary variety). ‘Danchesal’ was discovered andselected by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in MoshavMishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaves cutting was firstperformed in April, 1999 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproducestrue-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Danchesal’ which in combination distinguishthis Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. compact growth habit;

2. small flowers;

3. small, green leaves; and

4. salmon color flowers.

‘Danchesal’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, anddaylength without any change in the genotype of the plant.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to ‘Danchesal’ is the Impatiens variety ‘Fify Orange’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,430), commercially known as ‘Firefly Orange’.

TABLE 1

‘Danchesal’ ‘Firefly Orange’ Flower Color-upper surface RHS 40D RHS 32ALeaves Color-upper surface RHS 137C RHS 137C Flower Size 2.5 cm 2.4 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Impatiens showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. The drawing shows awhole plant side-view of a flowering ‘Danchesal’ plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The plant was grown in a greenhouse under the typical weather conditionsin Israel (Winter night time temperature 18° C., winter day timetemperature 20-25° C.; summer night time temperature approximately 25°C., summer day time temperature approximately 30° C.). Fertilization: N:P: K=5:3:8, N=100 ppm.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximatelynoon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant describedis 13 weeks from planting. The plant was asexually reproduced by leafcuttings.

Plant:

General appearance and form.—Height: 14 cm. Plant spread: Compact, 30cm. Lateral branches: Length— 13 cm; internode length approximately 2cm; diameter 0.5 cm; branch color RHS 143C; anthocyanin color RHS 184B.Flowering Response: Flowers at any day length. Flowering Season: Yearround as grown in a greenhouse with winter night time temperature of 18°C., winter day time temperature of 20-25° C.; summer night timetemperature of approximately 25° C., and summer day time temperature ofapproximately 30° C. Winter Hardiness: Resistance to 10° C. Lastingnessof the Individual Bloom: About 15 days. Rooting Habit Description:Adventitious roots from cutting base. Time to initiate roots: 10 days.Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: 17 days. Growth and branchinghabit: Compact growth habit; strong branching. Crop time: 10 weeks afterplanting as a 10-12 cm pot. Fragrance: None.

Foliage:

Leaf Shape.—Elliptic.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Acute.

Length.—Approximately 3 cm.

Width.—Approximately 2 cm.

Margin.—Shallowly serrate.

Texture.—Smooth.

Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 137C. Immature leaf: RHS 137A.

Color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: RHS 143D. Immature leaf: RHS 143D.

Venation.—Pinnate.

Petiole.—Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: RHS 144D.

Inflorescence:

Flower type and habit.—Single flower, day neutral.

Overall shape.—Irregular — 5 petaled.

Flower size.—Diameter 2.5 cm.

Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—Approximately 14.

Petals.—Petal Number: 5. Petal Shape: Irregular — 5 petaled; apexobtuse; base acute; margin entire. Texture: Smooth. Petal size: Lengthapproximately 1.3 cm; width approximately 1 cm. Petal Color: Uppersurface: Salmon RHS 40D, reddish-purple towards the base RHS 61B. Lowersurface: RHS 41C.

Sepals.—Number: 2. Shape: Elliptic. Length: 2 mm. Width: 1 mm. Apex:Acute. Margin: Entire. Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144C.

Stem.—Average length: 14 cm. Average diameter: 1 cm. Color: RHS 143C.Internode length: Approximately 1.5-2 cm.

Spur.—Length 2.5 cm; color light salmon-orange RHS 26C.

Bud.—Rate of opening: From the emergence of color until anthesis: 2days. Color: RHS 12D. Shape: Conical. Length: 0.7 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm.

Peduncles.—Length about 2.2 cm; slightly upward angle; stable strengthsurface texture; color yellow-green, RHS 144B.

Reproductive organs:

Stamen.—Size: 2 mm. Number: 5. Color: Purple RHS 77C.

Seeds.—Width: 1 mm. Length: 1 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Color: Brown RHS165A.

Fruit.—Size: 0.5 mm. Color: Green RHS 144A. Anthers: Color: RHS 63B.

Pollen.—None.

Pistil.—Size: 2 mm.

Stigma.—Color: Green RHS 144B.

Ovary.—Color: Green RHS 144B.

Disease resistance: No sensitivity to disease was observed under regulargrowing conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named ‘Danchesal’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.